ABOUT THE BOOK This book an attempt to the reader through compelling voices of men of women and of the LGBTQ community. It is an account of the lived realities, the unspoken anguishes, the subtle cries for help from the rights holders seeking their entitlements. The book questions the existing status quo regarding grassroot governance, it provides evidence that can enable duty bearers to cast away their complacence and an attitude of this far and no more. This is done through engaging the reader into the multiple layers of deprivations and poverty that most of us see and feel but tend to turn a blind eye to; often because of our sense of comfort with social norms and practices. It is the costs of this complacence that the author has made an attempt to bring out into the open. The title of the book is therefore self explanatory – May I Have Your Attention Please! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Madhu Bala Nath started her career with SIDA in India in the early eighties working with women at the grass roots in some of the most remote parts of the country. In 1986, Madhu moved on to carrying these issues to the policy level working with the United Nations as their Regional Adviser in many countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Her last assignment was with Engender Health as their Country Representative in India. Her being has been engaged in promoting and supporting people’s centred approaches in development especially issues that impact on women’s rights and freedoms in any sphere of their existence. Madhu is now serving on the board of four organisations and on the advisory committees of a few others.